Do we lack humility for thinking we can affect the Earth’s climate? Probably not. Cow, er, flatulence has a major impact, as does microbial activity. Perhaps it’s prideful for us to consider our impact “interference,” as if we were not a natural part of Earth’s biological systems. As other organisms have an effect, so do we.

I’ve never heard scientists claim that climate change was nonexistent before humans came along. In fact, we know about those past changes because scientists told us about them! Similarly, science tells us that we are just one of myriad factors. Still, with our teeming numbers (like cows), our influence is enormous!

D’oh! Marge, it happened again! Only it’s not funny: Another huge data breach. Once again, a company that collects and maintains all of our individual credit data, including Social Security numbers, has let that data be stolen.

This is your and my data, and we do not have access to it. Well, we do if we pay Equifax a fee … for our own data! So, we cannot access this data and we have zero control over how our data is secured.

And now that it has been stolen, if we become victims of identity theft, too bad: We’re on our own. Yes, Equifax has promised to beef up security and offered free access to their credit reporting system — for only one year. Hey, Equifax: you know, once the horses are out, closing the barn door doesn’t do any good. And not only did they wait a month to let us know about the breach, several Equifax executives “coincidentally” sold shares just before their stock price fell. Hmm?

Companies that house my information must be held financially liable when they allow it to be stolen. They must be hit with substantial penalties and payments for damages to all individuals impacted.

Legislation must be immediately drawn up to hold companies liable for damages related to identify theft resulting from a data security breach. Companies must submit to auditing so any data breaches not reported will result in double or triple or higher penalties. If your business revolves around managing, buying and selling our personal data, you damn well better keep it safe.